Accessing Library Databases From Home

Nearly all of the electronic resources available in the Library are accessible to students from off-campus locations. Some library resources are available without any special usernames or passwords (such as the Miami University Catalog). Other resources require you to identify yourself as a Miami University student, faculty member, or staff member before you can use them.

If you already have Internet access at home or elsewhere off-campus, the steps for connecting to a library resource from off-campus are the following:

1. Find and click on an index, database, or other electronic resource from the Gardner-Harvey Library site or the University Libraries' site.
2. A login prompt will appear. Enter your MU Unique ID and password to gain entry.
3. You will be able to use the resource.

If you do not have Internet access at home or elsewhere off-campus, consider using Miami University's free dial-up access (MUnet). MUnet access gives you complete access to library electronic resources without further login.
When you connect to the service, you will be prompted to enter your MU Unique ID and password. Once a dial up connection is established, users can connect to the research databases directly from the University Libraries' web site. For further instructions, check the KnowledgeBase page or the Dial-up (PPP) Connection instructions provided for your computer's operating system:

• Windows 98/ME/2000
• Windows XP
• Mac OS 8.6 to 9.2
• Mac OS X

The dial-up phone number for each campus is provided below (choose the phone number that is a local call for you).

• Hamilton - (513) 737-2120
  
• Middletown - (513) 420-3821
  
• Oxford - (513) 523-9444 or (513) 737-2120

If All Else Fails: OhioLINK Remote Authentication
Many of the electronic resources available to Miami University Libraries' users are provided by our membership in the OhioLINK consortium. A number of Miami-only subscriptions will not be available in this way. If you are unable to access resources using your Unique ID and password, follow these steps from any computer that is already connected to the Internet:

1. Go to the OhioLINK authentication site at: http://auth.ohiolink.edu
2. Choose “Miami University” as your institution from the drop-down menu.
3. You will then be prompted for your UniqueID and password. Enter them and click on Submit.
4. If the information is correct, you will be redirected to a list of OhioLINK databases (such as LexisNexis Academic and Academic Search Complete).
5. You may continue to work with any of the OhioLINK databases for a two-hour period. You can login again to restart your searching.